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Managing our Environment

Matukituki Bluff Ephemeral Wetland Management Area

Description:

A large and substantially intact wetland system runs along the foot of the roche moutonnee, at the back of a broad alluvial flat of the Matukituki River. This appears to receive water from both down-slope wash from the large rock bluffs above, and periodic flooding events from the Matukituki River. 90

Type/Class:

Not identified.

Size:

23.0 ha.

Altitude:

280 - 300 m above sea level.

Approximate location:

2 km Northwest of the intersection of West Wanaka Road and Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road, Glendhu Bay.
NZTM (centre point): E1280500 N5051000.

Regional Plan:

Water for Otago.
Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.97, Map F2.

Territorial Authority:

Queenstown Lakes District Council.

 

Matukituki Bluff Ephemeral Wetland Management Area

Recorded Values:

Value

Description

A1

 Habitat for nationally or internationally rare or threatened species or communities. Habitat for the Olearia lineata (At Risk – Declining). 90

A5

 Scarce in Otago in terms of its ecological or physical character. Naturally rare ephemeral wetland and ecosystem type. 90

A7

 High diversity of indigenous wetland flora and fauna. Good range of indigenous herbaceous plants including regionally uncommon plants. 90

A2 - A4, A6, A8, A9

 No relevant information is currently held by the ORC.

 

Other Information:

  • The turfy bed of the ephemeral pond has a flora comprising a small number of herbs and grasses. Prominent are the native herbs Gratiola sexdentata, Myriophyllum triphyllum, Crassula sinclairii, and Potamogeton cheesemanii, along with the exotic herb Callitriche stagnalis and introduced grass marsh foxtail (Alopecurus geniculatus). Fringing this area is a much taller sedgeland dominated by purei (Carex secta) with considerable sharp spike-sedge (Eleocharis acuta), Juncus spp, Carex tenuiculmis, and C. sinclarii. Harakeke (Phormium tenax) and shrubs of mingimingi (Coprosma propinqua) are dotted throughout.

  • The outer edge of the wetland has a fringe of taller Olearia lineata.

  • Ground cover species include the native herbs Viola cunninghamii, silverweed (Potentilla anserinoides) and Ranunculus amphitrichus. Water forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa subsp. caespitosa) is a common inter-sedge weed.

  • Similar Carex dominated wetlands, dotted with small ephemeral ponds containing arrow-grass (Triglochin striata), can be found down the western half of the entire alluvial terrace.

  • A large ephemeral pond at the northern end is at times up to 50 cm deep as evidenced by the water line on prominent rocks. 90

 

Aerial View of Matukituki Bluff Ephemeral Wetland Management Area (February 2007)

Aerial View of Matukituki Bluff Ephemeral Wetland Management Area (February 2007)

References:

90 Department of Conservation (2010) Comments on the Consultative Draft Proposed Plan Change 2 (Regionally Significant Wetlands) to the Regional Plan: Water for Otago. Department of Conservation - Otago Conservancy, Dunedin.

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